Through the letters, diaries, and other military papers of General Lord Percy, it provides an insight into the British military perspective of the New York Campaign and occupation of Rhode Island in 1776-1777.
Lieutenant General Earl Hugh Percy was a distinguished British Army officer who served throughout the early years of the American Revolutionary War. While a small selection of his letters from this period was published a century ago, the vast majority of his correspondence, diaries, and other military papers has hitherto remained unpublished. For the first time, many of these manuscripts have been arranged in chronological order and integrated with an informative narrative that places these primary sources into historical context. Together, they offer a unique and revealing perspective on the war through the eyes of a senior British commander, providing fresh insights into the military operations, personalities, and challenges of the conflict.A first volume - The Road to Lexington - Letters and papers of Lord Percy 1768-1776 traces the origins of the hostilities in and around Boston, culminating in the British evacuation of the town in March 1776. This volume Draws on Lord Percy's letters and miscellaneous papers, and enables readers to follow General Howe's army as it regroups in Nova Scotia before tracing the subsequent campaign in North America, including the Battles of Long Island, Kips Bay, and White Plains, together with the capture of Fort Washington. The volume concludes with the British occupation of Rhode Island and Lord Percy's return to England in May 1777.